Tag Archive for: hidden gems

Urban Legends of Budapest

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They say that truth should never get in the way of a good story, and this holds true for Budapest’s urban legends. Some of these tales have survived for centuries, while others are more recent additions. Interestingly, some of them might even be true! 

We adore urban legends because they entertain, challenge, and connect both locals and travelers in Budapest.

 

Lions on the Chain Bridge with a Tongue-in-Cheek Twist

 

Legend has it that these lions don’t have tongues, and their sculptor suffered quite the embarrassment. But here’s the scoop: The artist, János Marschalkó, did give those lions tongues, and he enjoyed a long, hearty life, making it to 58. 

Those lions do have tongues, they’re just not sticking them out. Marschalkó found the legend hilarious and would quip: “I am not a butcher, to loll out big tongues for smoking”

 

By the way, when you’re in Budapest, don’t miss our Free Budapest Tours. We’ll show you all the cool spots, including the cheeky lions on the Chain Bridge. Come join the adventure!

 

The Buda Castle Tunnel: Where Bridges Take Cover!

 

It’s a legend worth knowing! This tunnel connects the Buda side of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge with the areas behind the Buda Castle Hill. It’s about 350 meters long, nearly as long as the Chain Bridge itself. But here’s where it gets fun: According to local folklore, when it rains, the Chain Bridge cozies up in this tunnel! Imagine a massive bridge taking a nap down there.

The tunnel was built for both cars and people, so you can walk through it. However, we’d suggest not doing that because, well, drivers can be a bit wild, and the space for pedestrians is quite narrow. Plus, the ventilation is not exactly a breath of fresh air.

Take our daily Free Buda Castle Hill Tour. We wrap up the tour right above the tunnel, where you can snap beautiful photos of the Chain Bridge and the Castle Hill funicular. Just remember, next time it rains, the Chain Bridge might be taking a cozy nap in the tunnel below!

 

The Tale of the Forever Waiting Maid

 

Now, let’s dive into a touching story from Budapest’s 14th district, also known as Zugló. Just head to 61 Thököly Street. Picture a building with a unique balcony and a statue of a woman gazing down at the streets. This place is home to a legendary tale, all about true love.

During World War I, this building belonged to a young couple. When the war began, the man had to head off to the frontlines, and his beloved stayed behind, their reunion a promise. But then, the heartbreaking news arrived: her love was lost in battle. She couldn’t accept it, believing he was still out there somewhere. So, she made the balcony her second home, spending every moment looking down at the street, hoping to spot her beloved.

Tragically, during her vigil, the Spanish flu arrived in Hungary, taking many lives. The young maid fell ill, but even on her deathbed, she clung to hope, still waiting for her love to return. The bittersweet twist? Just a few days after the maid’s passing, her love did return from the war. Overwhelmed with sorrow, he couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else on that balcony. So, he built a statue in her memory and sealed it off the balcony, forever preserving the faithful maid’s love.

This touching legend continues to warm the hearts of those who hear it.

 

The Wacky Witches of Gellért Hill

 

Gellért Hill’s name comes from a monk, St. Gerard, who came to Hungary in 1015 to convert the pagan Hungarians to Christianity and teach the crown prince. But here’s where things get wild: the pagan Hungarians didn’t exactly embrace his teachings. They killed the crown prince and put the monk in a barrel, sending him down the Danube River to meet his maker.

For centuries, Gellért Hill was rumored to be the ultimate witches’ hangout. Fast forward to 1728, and Hungary had its most famous witch hunt. Twelve witches were put on trial and, well, they didn’t have a magical escape plan. They were sentenced to death!

But here’s the head-scratcher: Why would witches choose a hill named after a Christian saint for their meetings? Well, it’s all in the geography. The hill had these hot springs (Matthias, Rákóczi, and Árpád springs), which meant there was sulfuric steam and some mysterious caves.

Perfect for a little hocus-pocus, right?”

 

The Tale of the Turul Bird

 

Let’s meet the Turul bird, the mystical bird of prey with a tale to tell. In one story, Princess Emese, linked to Attila the Hun’s legacy, had a dream worth sharing. She dreamed of a Turul bird that appeared and, surprisingly, made her pregnant. Her dream wasn’t just a dream; she gave birth to Álmos, a prominent leader of the Hungarian people. They even named him after her dream. It’s like being named after your mom’s wildest bedtime story..!

There’s another tale about the Hungarian tribes. The Hungarian tribes needed to move on, and the Turul showed the way, leading them to their new home, which we now call Hungary. The bird dropped a sword on the land as a sign for the tribes to settle down here. 

A feathered guide our ancient GPS.

Take our daily Free Buda Castle Hill Tour to see the bird and learn more about the Hungarian history.

The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide to Budapest: The District XI.

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The Buda side is generally known to be the more local side of the Danube. It’s less preferred by visitors, but exactly that is why the sights and hidden gems can be very pleasant surprises. If you want to hang out with some local students, artists, and intellectuals or you enjoy artist coffeehouses and nature Újbuda might be the perfect place for you to discover. In our neighborhood guide to Budapest, we discover the XI. district or so-called Újbuda. It is one of the 23 districts of Budapest, Hungary, and Kelenföld is a neighborhood located within this district. Újbuda, which translates to “New Buda” in English, is situated on the Buda side of the city. 

 

Why is worth visiting Újbuda?

 

Transportation Hub

 Újbuda, particularly the Kelenföld area, serves as a transportation hub in Budapest. Trams (47, 49, 18, 19, 41), buses (7), and the metro (M4)  pass through this neighborhood, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city.

Local Life

Walking along Bartók Béla út offers a glimpse into the everyday life of Budapest. You can observe people going about their daily routines, providing an authentic experience of the city’s atmosphere. It is a pretty nice neighborhood to live or stay. It was just selected in the top 5 districts to live in Europe by TimeOut Magazine.

Gellért Hill

 A popular destination for hikers and picnickers, Gellért Hill is just a 15-minute uphill walk from the Liberty Bridge area. It offers panoramic views of Budapest and features attractions like the Cave Church (Sziklakápolna), a unique church built into the natural caves of the hill.

Bartók Béla Street

 Bartók Béla út has a lively and eclectic vibe with a mix of modernity and history. Along the street, you’ll discover numerous art galleries, adding to its artistic charm.

Feneketlen Tó

 The “Feneketlen” lake, despite its name, is not bottomless. While swimming is not allowed, you can enjoy picnicking, leisurely strolls around the lake, or simply relax on benches while taking in the scenic surroundings. It’s a popular spot for families and couples.

Allee Shopping Mall

Opened in 2009, Allee Shopping Mall boasts 150 outlets, 19 restaurants, and a 13-screen multiplex cinema. It’s a great place for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Fehérvári úti Piac – Local Food Market

 This market features a variety of food vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, and other culinary delights. It’s an ideal place to find high-quality ingredients and grab a quick meal.

Saturday Organic Market

 Located next to Bikas Park Metro stop, this market showcases delicious meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and other organic products. It’s a must-visit for those interested in fresh, local goods.

Local Eateries

 Among the panel high-rises in the area, you’ll find local delicatessens and eateries. “4 Muskétás” is a favorite operating since 1994, known for its meat-heavy menu and the Musketeer Menu and Muskeeter Platter options.

 

Enjoy your exploration of this vibrant neighborhood in Budapest! 

Remember,  visiting the outer neighborhoods of Budapest, rather than just staying in the city center, can provide a more well-rounded and authentic experience of the city. 

Ask your Free Budapest Tour guides for further activities. 

The Best Beaches in Budapest for a Quick Cooldown

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As you probably experienced yourself by now, Hungary has very hot summers. It is still worth walking around during the morning with an ice cream. Budapest is getting better at fighting the heat with steam gates and free cold water, but it is a landlocked city. While it does not have natural beaches, there are some artificial beach areas and waterfront locations where you can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and other recreational activities.

Here are the 2 best beaches in Budapest if you need to cool down:

 

Római Part

The Római Part (Roman Embankment) is a hidden jewel of the city. This recreational area is situated along the Danube River. Here it is possible to bathe for free under organized conditions and with continuous water quality control. You can enjoy a natural environment, a clean and well-kept beach, colorful sunbeds, and free bicycle storage. 

It takes 35 minutes by the suburban train (H5) from Batthyanyi tér metro station. (This place is also the meeting point of our daily FREE BUDA CASTLE TOUR, starting at 2.30 pm.)

Furthermore, the riverside promenade is part of the EuroVelo 6 international bicycle route, so you can get there by bike easily. 

 

Palatinus Beach

It is located on Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube River. This beach is one of the most well-known and largest outdoor pool complexes in Budapest. It offers various pools, slides, and sandy areas where you can sunbathe and relax. You can find sun beds easily. You can also swim laps in the swimming pools. Bring your pool shoes and swim cap for the swimming pool and do not forget to bring towels as they do not provide them. It is always worth booking the tickets online here because the line for offline tickets can be extremely long. Be aware it is a very popular place amongst the locals as well so it sells out on the weekend afternoons regularly. 

Kids will have a great time in the kids’ area. There are many pools and slides and other fun activities to choose from. You can find a good selection of food on-site too. 

 

While these locations provide beach-like experiences within Budapest, if you’re specifically looking for natural beaches, you may need to venture outside the city to Lake Balaton, which is the largest freshwater lake in Central Europe offering numerous beaches and resorts. You can get there by train in 1,5 hours from the Déli Pályaudvar.

 

Take our daily FREE BUDAPEST TOURS starting at 10.30 am and 4.30 pm for further recommendations on how to spend a hot day in Budapest beyond checking out all the must-see landmarks and hidden gems with us.

Sights worth visiting in Old Buda – Óbuda

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Sights of Óbuda – recommended by the Free Budapest Walking Tours Team

Besides taking some of our free tours in Budapest, it is also worth to wander around some areas where walking tours do not go very often. Let’s see the sights of Old Buda (Óbuda in Hungarian which is also known as the 3rd district of the Hungarian capital).

  • Roman amphitheater and Aquincum Museum: before the Hungarians settled down in this area, there used to be a Roman settlement here called Aquincum. The Aquincum Museum, which has huge a collection (objects and finds), presents the heritage of ancient Rome to those interested in a unique way. Next to the museum is the Romkert, one of the largest Roman archaeological parks in Hungary. During the tour of the area, visitors can get to know a part of the civic city of Aquincum, as well as the most typical public buildings and private houses of the city center, which were built in the 2nd-3rd centuries AD.

 

  • Kiscelli Museum: the building was originally built as a monastery, and was later bought by the furniture manufacturer Miksa Schmidt, who gave the building and its park to the capital. Today’s museum presents the history of Budapest and also has a significant fine art collection. The courtyard of the building complex, reminiscent of the Romantic era, is also a kind of exhibition space where you can see sculptures and works of art. The museum is surrounded by the Kiscelli park forest, recently renovated and expanded with a modern forest playground, where from spring to autumn we can take really pleasant walks and even have a picnic.

 

  • Roman beach (Római part in Hungarian): After Óbudai Island to the north, Római-part is a popular spot for those who want to relax after the hustle and bustle of the city. This stretch of the Danube coast is busy with visitors all year round, whose souls and bellies are taken care of by the cozy restaurants, stalls, and open air places that offer excellent gastronomic experiences. If you can, spend as much time as possible on the Római coast walking, running, cycling, or enjoying the waters of the Danube, you certainly won’t regret it.